At the July 8 press conference to announce Stoudemire’s signing, Knicks president Donnie Walsh thanked Thomas for his help in recruiting Stoudemire.

Then, on Aug. 6, when Thomas was about to be rehired by the Knicks, a statement released by the team, credited to owner James Dolan and Donnie Walsh read: “Isiah was helpful to the team’s senior management during our most recent recruitment efforts, including assisting with the acquisition of Amar’e Stoudemire.”

The Knicks said Thomas was being hired as a part-time consultant to “assist the team’s senior management in various capacities, including player recruitment.” However, after the NBA questioned the arrangement over Thomas’ full-time job as a college head coach at Florida Atlantic University, he withdrew from the Knicks’ contract.

The magazine conducted the interview as part of a feature planned for an upcoming edition.